Life and Quilting

Piecing together a quilt brings to mind many parallels to life, its phases, twists and turns:

• a vision of something spectacular guides the process
• seldom is the plan followed precisely
• precision is crucial on some significant steps
• mistakes cause the invention of something new
• there are pieces that one loves
• unfavorites can be a beautiful part of the whole
  
  
• there is a knowledge at the beginning that there will be tricks and techiniques that you know you'll learn along the way and wish you knew them at the onset
• ahh-ha moments are cherished, knowing that you will use them or share them
• some parts never fit together and each time that step arises, one knows there will be a struggle
• easy places are appreciated
• some shortcuts are okay and experience will reveal their application
• techniques learned by those having been through the process are welcome and sometimes adopted, sometimes not
• some problems cause a huge concentration of time, energy and effort
• other problems are an easy fix
  
  
• there is a rhythm of ease and enjoyment when things are going smoothly
• the beauty of imperfection reveals itself
• bits of perfection are rewarding
• something that just doesn't seem to blend in is appreciated as a beautiful accent
• progress is usually slower than anticipated
• there are parts that are trimmed and thrown away, but they were important in the making
• tools and skill can make a huge difference
• hopefully, in the end, one is satisfied
• experience teaches that sometimes the whole experience is just that
• experience also teaches that this might be the best yet